THE PARENTS of a toddler waiting for a second life-saving transplant in Birmingham today made a desperate plea for more organ donors.

THE PARENTS of a toddler waiting for a second life-saving transplant in Birmingham today made a desperate plea for more organ donors.

Two-year-old Erin Nicks was born with biliary atresia, which can lead to the liver becoming poisoned, and received her first transplant at Birmingham Children's Hospital in 2005. However, she now faces the prospect of a second transplant after a severe infection.

Her parents, Orla and Simon Nicks, who live in Newry in Northern Ireland, backed controversial proposals from Government Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson for all people to be considered as donors unless they opt-out.

"I defy any parent to watch their child lying in intensive care, knowing a suitable donor may never be found," said Mr Nicks. "If people want to benefit from a transplant they should be prepared to do the same for someone else in the event of their death."

There are currently 7,294 people waiting for life-saving transplants in the UK, but since April 1 only 260 donors have given organs.

Dr Patrick McKenna, consultant heptologist at the Children's Hospital, said: "It's no good doctors trying to bring this up when relatives are upset, that's why we need more public debate on this."

Contact the NHS Organ Donor Line on 0845 6060400 or uktransplant.org.uk